Mac OS X

The app Primitive has been released today for OS X, turning photos (or whatever other images you like) into arrays of shapes. The process begins with a single image, provided by the user. The user selects bounds within which the program must operate - circles, rectangles, quadrilaterals - then the fun begins. This app selects shapes that best fit all areas of the image - size, color, placement - and fits them in, one at a time.

Apple has been tipped to be speaking with Foxconn startup Sonder, a company which creates some of the strangest keyboards in the world. The keyboards Sonder makes don't look significantly different from Apple's current MacBook Pro and iMac offerings - just so long as their keys keep their standard characters. Sonder's big differentiator in keyboards is their ability to switch keys at a moment's notice using E-Ink technology.

While we’re still waiting for a refreshed MacBook line, Apple has gotten the Mac ball rolling with the official release of macOS Sierra. Available as a free update, for those who already own the previous El Capitan version, of course, the latest version of the operating system formerly known as “OS X” closes the gap between desktop and mobile even further. From talking to Siri to being able to share clipboard content between Mac and iPhone or iPad, the latest version of Apple’s desktop OS is perhaps, somewhat ironically, also the most mobile.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is only a few days away, but it's looking more and more like one of the announcements we can expect at the keynote is a rebranding of the Mac's OS X to simply "macOS." Following similar discoveries earlier this year, a page on the company's developer replaced "OS X" with "macOS" (specifically with a lower-case M) alongside Apple's other operating systems like iOS, tvOS, and watch OS.

Before there was Viber, LINE, WhatsApp or even Facebook Messenger, instant messaging on smartphones were dominated by the likes of BlackBerry's BBM and Apple's iMessage. While BBM has already opened its doors to other platforms, iMessage remains an exclusive party for owners of Apple's devices. Until now. Somewhat. PieMessage is a new open source project that appeared on GitHub that tries to bring iMessage to Android. Except it really doesn't. You will be able to receive and even send iMessages from your Android device, but if and only if you have an OS X computer.

It's looking more and more likely that this year will see Apple announce a change in branding of the Mac's operating system from OS X to just "MacOS." This possibility was first discovered in late March when a developer found a hidden file in the latest update to OS X 10.11 El Capitan that made reference to "macOS" in its name. The latest hint, however, comes from Apple itself, with the term being used on an official webpage for the company's Earth Day 2016 efforts.

Sometimes, app developers have ideas for fancy new features that just clashes with the ideas and policies of operating system developers. Sometimes, when you're big enough, you get to push your own way anyway. And sometimes, that eventually turns out to be a bad idea. Google Chrome's Notification Center was one such example, which Google eventually retired because, in the end, no one was using it. Resolving to be better citizens on its respective platforms, Google has added support for Mac OS X's native notifications in the latest experimental builds of the Chrome browser.

Apple has a number of different operating systems for its various device these days, including iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and, of course, OS X for the Mac itself. Ever notice that one of those is not like the other when it comes to the naming convention? Turns out, Apple may already be planning to address this, with OS X possibly being rebranded as "macOS" sometime in the near future. A developer has spotted a hidden file in the latest update to OS X 10.11 El Capitan that makes mention of "macOS" in the name.

When speaking of malware, Windows is usually the poster boy for an OS that gets infected a lot almost by nature. In truth, however, no operating system is totally bulletproof. Even Apple's OS X and iOS, usually considered to be tightly guarded silos, have their fair share of intrusions. This latest incident is one such example but this time the affected platform is Apple's much larger Mac OS X. Named by security firm Palo Alto Networks as KeRanger, the ransomware's damage is worsened by the fact that it infected even legitimate installers of the Transmission BitTorrent client.

Apple has released the latest beta version of iOS 9.2 to developers this week, and among the updates is a handy feature that works in conjunction with AT&T's recently announced NumberSync service. iOS 9.2 will allow iPhone users to extend the WiFi calling feature to their Mac, iPad, or iPod Touch. It's similar to how Apple's Continuity features let phone calls be placed from a Mac or other device as long as the iPhone is connected to same the WiFi network, but with NumberSync, a call can be placed when the phone isn't in the same location, let along on the same WiFi.

How do I download OS X El Capitan? That's the question we've heard many times since WWDC earlier this year. This morning Apple flipped the switch for OS X El Capitan, allowing users around the world to access their newest operating system. This version of OS X brings a revamp to a number of core apps - Maps and Spotlight in particular. Battery performance will be given a kick in the pants, as will processing performance. This update is all about refining and improving what was released with OS X Yosemite last year - and it's a solid update you'll be glad you initiated.

Disappointed that Apple didn't give due attention to OS X at its big keynote event? Well, be the green eyed monster no longer, because Apple is actually launching something that users, at least developers and beta testers, can actually get their hands on today. The Golden Master or GM version of OS X 10.11 El Capitan is now available for this select group of very early adopters, giving confidence that Apple will indeed meet its September 30 deadline for releasing the software to the general public.